Extra weekly bus services and new bus route for North West Sydney

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian has announced the NSW Government would introduce more than 580 extra services per week along 12 bus routes serving customers in Sydney’s North West.

She also said a new route 627 connecting Castle Hill and Chatswood via Baulkham Hills would be introduced in the peak to serve the growing number of people wanting to travel to work from the North West to the North Shore employment and retail hub.

The extra services come as demand for public transport in the Hills District – where the North West Rail Link is being constructed – increased by 16 per cent in a year, to 14.8 million annual passenger journeys.

Extra bus services are able to be delivered due to the NSW Government’s $90 million investment to deliver more than 200 new buses in 2013-14, including 65 new buses for Western Sydney and 22 in the North West.

“The population in the North West of Sydney continues to grow and we’re making sure we deliver more public transport to support that growth – brand new single deck buses and a trial of double deck buses in the short term and the North West Rail Link by the end of 2019,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“By giving people more frequent services and more options we’re continuing to see a swell in patronage as public transport becomes a more attractive option.”

The more than 580 extra weekly services begin on 28 January and include:

More than 150 extra services between Rouse Hill and Parramatta on the T-way T65;

105 extra services on the new route linking Castle Hill and Chatswood the 627;

More than 80 extra services between Blacktown and Macquarie Park via Seven Hills on the 611;

30 extra services on each of routes 602X (Rouse Hill to North Sydney), 613X (Bella Vista to City) and 614X (Crestwood to City).

Existing routes 602 and the 612 will now operate express via the Lane Cove Tunnel – delivering commuters to St Leonards and North Sydney time savings of up to 80 minutes each week.

Hawkesbury MP Ray Williams said: “It is great to see increased bus services to Rouse Hill, which benefits our growing communities and encourages more people to use public transport.”

Baulkham Hills MP David Elliott said: “These extra buses will not only help ease traffic congestion, but will also assist in job creation outside of the CBD, allowing Hills residents to spend more time with their families.”

Castle Hill MP Dominic Perrottet said: “The Government continues to show support for North-Western Sydney. With the addition of extra bus services and the completion of the M2 upgrade we are reducing travel times for commuters.”